HYPOCRISY AND HUMILIATION OVER MINIMUM PRICING PROPOSALS

For immediate use: Tuesday 18 January 2010



Attn: NEWSDESKS


HEALTH / POLITICAL CORRESPONDENTS


PLAN CONCEDES ARGUMENT BUT FUDGES DECISION

The SNP have rounded on Tory and LibDem hypocrisy following the announcement of minimum alcohol pricing proposals by the Home Office just weeks after the parties voted down SNP Government plans to tackle binge drinking and improve health.

SNP Home Affairs spokesperson Pete Wishart MP said that, while the Tories had conceded the argument on the necessity for a minimum pricing, they were fudging the decision by proposing ineffective measures which would mean that a can of lager could still be sold for
38p, a bottle of wine for £2 and a bottle of spirits for £7.50.


Commenting, Mr Wishart said:

“This is not just hypocrisy from the Tories and Lib Dems, but a humiliation for their Scottish parties who, despite overwhelming professional evidence for it, voted down minimum pricing plans just weeks ago. The London parties all put politics before the public health of Scotland.


“While it is welcome that the Tories and Lib Dems have conceded the argument, what they are proposing does not go far enough. Their calls to use duty plus vat would actually see some cheap alcohol get cheaper.


“Instead of blocking the Scottish Government’s sensible plan backed by health professionals for a genuine minimum price, Labour, the Tories and Lib Dems should have supported the life saving legislation put forward by the SNP for the benefit of Scotland and our National Health

Service.


“It is increasingly clear that the introduction of a real minimum price is essential in tackling our alcohol culture and improving our health as a nation. It is good that the Tories and Lib Dems now agree with the principle of minimum pricing in England, but is shocking that they and Labour refused to put politics aside to introduce it in Scotland, where the problem of alcohol abuse is even more acute than it is south of the Border.

“It is not acceptable to play political games while neglecting key health issues, which is just one reason why the Tories and LibDems are crashing in the polls since no one can trust them with Scotland's health or in the battle against anti-social behaviour.”


END